If you’re looking for a janitorial services provider, it’s easy to fall prey to the “lowest bid” ploy.
You know how it goes: you put your cleaning services out to bid and receive a dozen proposals, all with vastly different pricing structures. The natural inclination is to simply go with the company that offers the lowest price per square foot.
But beware! The old adage “you get what you pay for” is certainly true when it comes to commercial cleaning services.
The cheapest option is often not the best value in the long run.
To avoid becoming a victim of the “lowest bid” trap, ask these important questions before hiring a commercial cleaning company:
Question #1: What services do you offer?
Most commercial cleaning companies offer a basic package of services that includes vacuuming, mopping, and bathroom cleaning.
But what about those little extras that can make a big difference in the overall cleanliness of your facility?
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for some commercial cleaning companies to underbid a project because they didn’t do their homework and fail to realize the true scope of work required.
To avoid that headache in your search, be sure to ask for a comprehensive list of all the services the company offers (that your specific company might require) so there are no surprises down the road.
Question #2: What are your rates and what is included in the price?
This might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many facility managers fail to get this vital piece of information before hiring a cleaning company.
Be sure to ask for a breakdown of the pricing structure so that you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.
In addition to the services offered, be sure to ask about the frequency of service.
Most janitorial service providers offer daily, weekly, and monthly packages.
But what does that really mean?
Will the cleaning crew come once a day, five days a week? Or will they come every other day?
Be sure to get a detailed breakdown of what is included in your package before making a final decision.
Question #3: How long have you been in the industry and do you specialize in working with businesses like mine?
When vetting potential cleaning companies, you want to make sure you’re hiring a team that has a proven track record of providing quality service and, ideally, has experience cleaning facilities similar to yours in size and scope.
For example, a janitorial services provider that specializes in small medical offices is probably not the best choice for a large manufacturing plant.
A good rule of thumb is to hire a company that has a minimum of three years of commercial cleaning experience and at least one year of experience working with businesses similar to yours.
Question #4: Are you willing to provide references?
If a commercial cleaning company is hesitant to provide references, that’s a major red flag.
Any reputable business should be more than happy to put you in touch with some of their previous or current clients so that you can get first-hand feedback about the quality of their work.
When speaking with references, be sure to ask specific questions about the company’s attention to detail, its ability to meet deadlines, and overall professionalism.
Question #5: How do you screen your employees?
When it comes to commercial cleaning, you want to be sure that the people coming into your facility are honest and trustworthy.
So when it comes to a service provider screening their employees, you should expect nothing less than a thorough background check that includes a review of the employee’s criminal history as well as verification of their identity.
In addition, most reputable companies will also require their employees to undergo drug testing both before and after being hired.
This helps to ensure that you’re getting a team of professionals who are dedicated to providing quality service.
Question #6: What is your employee turnover percentage?
The commercial cleaning industry is notoriously high-turnover.
In fact, according to a recent study, employee turnover in the janitorial services industry ranges from 200% – 400% per year.
While it’s not realistic to expect a company to have a 0% turnover rate, you should look for a company that has a lower turnover percentage than the industry average.
This is a good indicator that the company is doing something right when it comes to employee retention.
It might also mean that they offer competitive wages and benefits, which can be a major selling point when choosing a commercial cleaning company.
Question #7: What kind of quality control measures do you have in place to assure reliability?
It’s important to know what kind of quality control measures a commercial cleaning company has in place to ensure that they’re providing reliable service.
A good way to find out is to ask if the company has a formal quality control program in place.
If they do, ask for details about how the program works.
For example, you might want to know if the company has a general manager that does regular inspections of their employees’ work.
Additionally, you will want to ask about any processes in place to address customer complaints.
A company that is serious about quality control will have a system in place to quickly and efficiently address any problems that might come up.
This will give you peace of mind knowing that your facility is in good hands and any issues that do arise will be dealt with in a timely manner.
Conclusion:
When it comes to commercial cleaning, it’s important to do your homework and choose a company that you can trust.
Asking these questions is an excellent place to start. It will help you to make an informed decision and ensure that you’re getting the best possible service for your money.
If you’re looking for a reliable, professional commercial cleaning company in the Houston, Dallas, or Waco, TX area contact us today.
We would be happy to answer any of your questions and provide you with a free, no-obligation quote.
